Trinitarian Math: On The Holy Trinity

Let's do some basic math....we're
talking basic; 1st grade stuff.

1+1=2

2+2=4

How about this one:

1+1+1=1

The answer to that last
problem is 3. However, theologically
speaking, the answer is one. ONE?! That's right-one! This simple math formula isn't as simple as
it looks. This is a formula for helping
to understand the Trinity: Three persons in one God.

1+1+1=1

Father+Son=Holy Spirit=God

Every time we cross
ourselves, we do so in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy
Spirit. Yet, it can be such a difficult
thing for our minds to grasp.

In trying to better understand the Trinity, it might be a
good idea to start in Scripture. Not in
the New Testament, like you might expect, but in the Old Testament.
The Trinity is in the Old Testament? Yes, it is, and it's right there
from the
beginning.

The earth was without form and void, and darkness was
upon the face of the deep; and the Spirit of God was moving over the face of
the waters. (Genesis 1:2)

Later, in the same chapter,
we see a reference to the Trinity during the creation of man:

Then God said, "Let US make man in OUR image, after
OUR likeness." (Genesis 1:26)

The Trinity acted together in
creation because all three persons existed together from the beginning of
time.

This is just an introduction. There is so much to look at. Next time, we'll stay in the Book of Genesis,
looking at the story of the Hospitality of Abraham, which gives us our icon of
the Holy Trinity.